Bound by Alpha's Vows

The aroma of moist soil and pine permeated the atmosphere as Selene Nightshade positioned herself at the boundary of Ravenstone, her heart pounding within her chest. Five years had gone by since she last stood here, having vowed never to come back. However, destiny possessed a harsh sense of irony. She lowered the hood of her cloak further over her face, protecting herself from the curious gazes of the patrol guards positioned along the perimeter. However, she was aware that as soon as she passed the unseen limit, they would smell her presence.

And even more troubling, they would detect his smell. Lucian. She glanced at the little boy beside her. He grasped the fringe of her cloak with his small fingers, his shining silver eyes-the identical eyes of his father-gleaming softly in the dusk. The connection between them was inseparable, and although she had devoted years to shielding him from the reality, she realized that the moment had come. A deep growl echoed from the trees in front, accompanied by the sound of leaves rustling as a huge wolf appeared, its golden eyes squinting in doubt. The warrior transformed effortlessly into his human shape, an imposing presence with scars running across his arms. His nostrils expanded. "Who is it?" His tone was piercing, authoritative. Then his eyes grew large, understanding emerging. "Is that you, Selene?" Her breath caught, yet she compelled her voice to stay calm. "I must meet with Alpha Kade." The fighter's surprise transformed into caution. "The Alpha doesn't-" "I'm not concerned about what he permits or forbids," she interrupted, her hold on Lucian's hand growing firmer. "Inform him that Selene Nightshade has come back." "And I have information he cannot disregard." The guard paused for a lengthy moment before offering a rigid nod. He pivoted on his heel and vanished into the woods, undoubtedly hurrying and rushing toward the packhouse. Selene breathed out gradually. This is it. The time she had feared for years. Lucian pulled on her sleeve, his soft voice just above a whisper. "Mom... will he be upset?" Her chest tightened. "Indeed," she confessed gently, smoothing a strand of dark hair away from his brow. "Regardless of what occurs, I won't allow him to take you away from me." Lucian's tiny hand formed a fist, his silver eyes gleaming with an intensity too strong for a child to hold. "He will not." "I give my word." A gust of wind brought the undeniable aroma of strength and rage. And then, he appeared. Alpha Kade Raventhorn. He stepped out of the darkness like a hunter, his imposing stature tight with suppressed fury. Midnight-black hair tousled by the breeze, defined jawline firm with a grimace, and those sharp silver eyes fixed on her like a wolf that had just detected its quarry. He remained silent for an extended period. He just gazed, his eyes shifting from her face to the baby beside her. Suddenly, his voice-deep, rugged, and filled with unexpressed feelings-broke the quiet. "You have the audacity to come back to my territory?" Selene raised her chin, instilling strength into her posture. "I had no other option." Kade moved ahead, his fists tightly shut. "Whose kid is that?" She could sense the almost suppressed growl in his throat, feel the fury emanating from him in waves. Selene straightened her shoulders, her forthcoming words creating a wave of astonishment in the clearing. "He's yours, Kade." A deep silence descended upon the forest. Kade's whole body became stiff. His breaths were quick and irregular, his wolf lurking just underneath, hardly contained. Selene knew she had just set fire to the past. And there would be no turning back.

The quietness between them extended, heavy with strain and unspoken phrases. Selene stood firm, her heartbeat a constant rhythm in her chest, aware that Kade could hear it. His silver eyes, once just icy, now resembled a furiously tempestuous storm, fixated on Lucian with a fervor that compelled her to protect the boy from sight. A muscle in his jaw twitched. "Repeat it." Selene stood tall, not willing to submit. "Lucian is your child." The words felt like a physical impact, hitting him hard.

His fingers curled at his sides, his body rigid with rage, disbelief, and something more profound-something primal. A deep growl vibrated in his chest. "You're lying." Lucian recoiled at the noise, but Selene gripped his hand comfortingly. "You are aware that I don't." Kade's gaze shifted between them, his nostrils widening as he examined Lucian closely-the identical raven-black hair, the same silver eyes, the pronounced curve of his brow. His wolf was aware. Kade stepped forward, but Selene reflexively positioned herself in front of Lucian, obstructing his way. His gaze became shadowy. "You prevented him from being with me." His voice was soft, yet it bore the intensity of his anger. "You sprinted." Selene tightened her hands into fists. "You turned me down, Kade." "You prioritized your responsibility over us." His gaze sparkled. "And you concluded I didn't deserve to know my own child?" She gulped, fury and anguish coiling within her. "Would you have been concerned?" she questioned. "Would you have sacrificed that alliance for me?" "For that person?" Something glimmered in his eyes-remorse? Feelings of remorse? But it vanished in an instant, substituted by a frown. "I deserved to be informed," he snarled. "Regardless of the circumstances." Selene's heart ached, yet she would not allow her suffering to be visible. "I returned for him, not for you." Lucian moved behind her, his tiny fingers gripping the material of her cloak. Kade's eyes fell upon him, and for a brief moment, there was a hint of gentleness in his look. Then, his tone became harsh. "You won't depart from Ravenstone once more." Selene tensed up. "I didn't return to remain." "Do you believe you have an option?" His statements carried an air of authority, his Alpha essence imposing on her like a tangible weight. Selene raised her chin. "I will." Kade's gaze shifted, his wolf lurking just beneath the surface. "You prevented me from seeing my son, Selene." "That is a treachery I cannot overlook." Before she had a chance to respond, Kade extended his hand, grasping her wrist in a tight yet steady grip. His skin felt scorching against hers, sending a surge of electricity throughout her body-the mate bond, worn yet unshattered. "I released you before," he whispered, his tone hazardous. "That was my fault." Selene's breathing caught. He clenched his hold more firmly. "You will not remove my son from me." Lucian's voice pierced the atmosphere, sharp and bold. "My mother isn't yours." Kade's eyes immediately focused on the boy. He was quite tiny, yet the blaze in his silver eyes was undeniable. And at that instant, something changed. The understanding dawned on them both like a slowly spreading fire. It was no longer only about Selene. It concerned Lucian. And Kade would never allow him to leave.

The aroma of home enveloped Selene like a phantom-pine and earth, softened by the murmur of a looming storm. She had not entered Ravenstone territory for almost five years, but as soon as she crossed the unseen boundary, her wolf began to move anxiously beneath her skin. The attraction was unmistakable. Lucian was nestled close to her, his tiny hand clutching the material of her cloak. His breath had become slower, fatigue pressing on his small body. She swept a strand of dark hair from his brow, her heart tightening at the likeness.

He was Kade's son entirely-his defined jawline, the contour of his nose, and even the manner his brows knitted together during sleep. A new surge of anger washed over her. Kade had no prior knowledge of his child. Not that he had earned it. The wind screamed amongst the trees, bringing along the distinct aroma of a patrol. Selene felt tense. They were near. "Lucian, rise and shine," she murmured, lightly shaking his shoulder. His eyes sprang open, blinking the sleep away. "Mom?" She placed a finger against her lips. "We're not by ourselves." In just moments, shadows shifted among the trees. Suddenly, wolves came forth from the shadows-five in total, their eyes shining amber in the moonlight. Selene set her shoulders firmly. She was familiar with these wolves. She had previously referred to them as family. A huge black wolf advanced, transforming mid-step into a human shape. Beta Tobias. His eyes fixated on her, surprise flashing on his face before it turned into a more distant expression. "Selene?" She compelled herself to stay composed. "I must meet Alpha Kade." Tobias squinted. "You were banished." "You can't simply stroll back in here and insist on a meeting." Lucian whined next to her, gripping her leg tightly. Tobias' eyes darted towards him, eyebrows furrowing in doubt. Selene stood firm. "I wouldn't be present if it weren't significant." "We lack time for niceties." Tobias paused for a moment, yet then his position changed, a conflict raging within his gaze. At last, he nodded decisively. "Join me." The other wolves surrounded them as they ventured further into the territory. Selene's heart raced. She had devoted years to get ready for this moment, yet now that she was present, uncertainty ate away at her. What if Kade chose not to pay attention? What if returning was the gravest error of her life? THE FURY OF THE ALPHA Kade Raventhorn was not a man who could be easily surprised, yet when Tobias entered his office with her, the atmosphere in the room shifted. Selene. The companion he had turned down. The woman he had endeavored for five years to overlook. She faced him, as defiant as always, her violet eyes smoldering with unvoiced anger. And next to her- Kade's breath hitched. The young male. Her son. The space was quiet except for the sounds of the crackling fire. Kade's muscles tightened, his wolf rising within him, seeking dominance. He could perceive the reality in the boy's aroma-his blood. His successor. "Selene," he uttered, his tone ominously quiet. "What have you accomplished?" She raised her chin, facing his gaze unafraid. "I accomplished what was necessary." Kade tightened his fists, his whole body shaking with controlled fury. "You prevented me from seeing my son." Selene remained unperturbed. "You turned me down, Kade." What were your expectations of my actions? "Remain and plead for leftovers?" Heat ignited between them, heavy with unaddressed tension. The burden of years spent apart, of words left unsaid, of hidden truths-they all weighed on them like an unseen power. Tobias cleared his throat, feeling uneasy as he shifted. "Alpha, I believe-" "Go away." Kade's order was incisive, unequivocal. Tobias paused for just a moment before agreeing and leaving the room, closing the door after him. Kade advanced steadily, his eyes fixed on Selene. Clarify. At this moment. Selene clenched her jaw. "Only after you vow that Lucian is safeguarded by you." His gaze grew shadowy. "He belongs to me." "No one will lay a finger on him." The ownership in his tone drew a chill along her back, but she remained steadfast in her determination. "I'm not here for your sake, Kade." "I'm here due to Lucian being at risk." A muscle twitched in Kade's jaw. "From whom?" "Darius Alpha." His face became lethal. Selene inhaled deeply and explained everything to him. How Darius had pursued them. How he became aware of Lucian's exceptional talents. How he wished to take the boy for his own group. Kade's fists tightened into balls. "Does he have the audacity to pursue my blood?" Selene breathed out gently. "This is more than just blood, Kade." "There's additional depth to this than you realize." He remained silent for an extended moment. He then looked at Lucian, his expression becoming a bit softer. The boy looked up at him with large golden eyes, examining him with interest. "What is your name?" Kade inquired. Lucian paused prior to responding, his voice quiet yet consistent. "Lucian." Kade felt his chest constrict. The burden of what he had lost-what he had overlooked-hit him like a tidal wave. After years, Kade Raventhorn experienced an emotion he believed he would never feel again. Sorrow. THE CONFLICT INSIDE That evening, Kade walked back and forth in his office, his mind a storm of feelings. Selene was correct regarding one thing-this was greater than just the two of them. If Darius was targeting Lucian, it signified conflict. He was unable to permit that. He wouldn't do that. A rap on the door interrupted his reflections. "Enter." Selene entered, her arms folded. "What do you intend to do?" Kade breathed out, sweeping his hand through his hair. "I require time to evaluate the danger." Until that time, you remain here. "Both of you." Her eyes glimmered. "You don't have the right to dictate-" "This isn't concerning you, Selene." "It pertains to our son." The words lingered in the air, weightier than rock. Selene's shoulders drooped slightly, the determination fading a bit. "I only wish for his safety." Kade gave a nod. "Me too." Their eyes met, a tension building between them-something they both hesitated to label. However, one thing was definitely clear. Selene was back. And everything would change forever.